The Food Network Channel can be addictive. It’s a good thing I don’t have a television set! I never knew who Ina Garten was until I saw The Barefoot Contessa on TV while housesitting for friends in Portland, Oregon.
Ina’s potato-fennel gratin stuck to mind because it was so easy to make. You can prepare it ahead of time, keep it in the fridge then bake it when you’re ready. Which was exactly what I did on several occasions. I adapted her recipe and used what was available: parsnip instead of fennel and for this recipe, sweet potato instead of plain boring potato. The result is that extra sweetness that makes this an ideal companion to the roast turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. Not that we celebrate Thanksgiving here in Kiwiland. But there is a lot to be thankful for. Every day that we are alive should be Thanksgiving Day.
For a crunchy topping, I added breadcrumbs to the cheese and cream mixture.
I learned the hard way that using individual ramekins cooked the gratin faster so I needed to adjust both the temperature and baking time. It turned out a little dry for my liking but was fabulously delicious nevertheless. And it smelled so good that I had to eat it while shooting!
Sweet Potato and Fennel Gratin ~ Recipe here
The kitchen is my playground. 
November 19th, 2013 at 9:12 PM
Love the photo layout. Please make this for us when you come to visit us in Oregon again.
November 19th, 2013 at 10:58 PM
My pleasure, Lady Mom Betty! Can you share with me Poppy’s tomato pie recipe? I’d like to make that for JD. Tomatoes are in season again!
November 27th, 2013 at 5:50 PM
I completely agree with your thanksgiving sentiment in terms of being grateful for every day that we are alive! Amen sister! As you know, we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in Australia either. I’ve been reading all of the Thanksgiving posts over the past few days and I think it’s a wonderful tradition. Love this recipe. It looks and sounds delicious, perfect for change-of-season weather in the southern hemisphere! xx
November 27th, 2013 at 10:02 PM
I give you thanks for agreeing with me, Laura! And I also agree with you that Thanksgiving is a wonderful tradition. If we celebrated Thanksgiving here, it would be a good excuse to roast a giant turkey before Christmas! I can’t wait!